Central Fla. Boy, 10, Shot In Head With BB Gun

LONDON - JANUARY 6: A man holds an Airsoft plastic BB gun in front of a shop display of the hobbyist replica firearms January 6, 2003 in London. British Home Secretary David Blunkett has confirmed plans to tighten firearms laws, which will see a mandatory jail sentence of five years for gun possession. The announcement was made after two teenage girls were killed at a New Year's party in Birmingham but the Government insists it had been planned for some time. Replica and Airsoft guns will not be affected by the new laws. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)File photo of a person holding a BB gun. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

FROSTPROOF, Fla. (AP) — Deputies say a 10-year-old central Florida boy was critically injured while he and his older brother were shooting at targets with BB guns.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened just before 7 p.m. Wednesday outside the boys’ home in Frostproof.

Deputies say the child’s 13-year-old brother pointed a gun at his brother and the boy was struck in the head at close range. The teen told his mother, who was cooking dinner. She called 911.

The boy was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, where authorities say he remained in critical condition early Thursday.

The sheriff’s office says the shooting appears to be accidental. An investigation is continuing.